Published on: Fri, 16 Nov 2018
The food enzyme is an endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) produced with a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus oryzae by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This xylanase is intended to be used in baking and cereal‐based processes. Based on the proposed maximum use levels, dietary exposure to the food enzyme–total organic solids (TOS) was e...

Routine samples of the Green Cedar Ackawi cheese collected and tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development tested positive for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Published on: Wed, 14 Nov 2018
The food enzyme maltogenic amylase (glucan 1,4‐a‐maltohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.133) is produced with a genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain NZYM‐OC by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production microorganism and recombinant DNA. This maltogenic amylase is intended to be used in baking processes. Based on the maximum use levels recommended, dietary exposure to the food enzyme–...

Published on: Wed, 14 Nov 2018
The scope of application EFSA‐GMO‐DE‐2016‐133 is for food and feed uses, import and processing of genetically modified (GM) maize MZHG0JG in the European Union. Maize MZHG0JG was developed to confer tolerance to the herbicidal active substances glyphosate and glufosinate‐ammonium. The molecular characterisation data and bioinformatic analyses do not identify issues requiring food/feed safety assessment. None of the identified differences in the agronomic/phenotypic and com...

Published on: Wed, 14 Nov 2018
The food enzyme maltogenic amylase (glucan 1,4‐α‐maltohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.133) is produced with a genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain NZYM‐SO by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production microorganism and recombinant DNA. This maltogenic amylase is intended to be used in baking processes. Based on the maximum use levels, dietary exposure to the food enzyme–total organi...

Published on: Wed, 14 Nov 2018
The food enzyme acetolactate decarboxylase (α‐acetolactate decarboxylase; EC 4.1.1.5) is produced with a genetically modified Bacillus licheniformis strain NZYM‐JB by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This acetolactate decarboxylase is intended to be used in distilled alcohol production and brewing processes. Residual amounts of total organi...

Published on: Thu, 08 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0100
The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of polyacrylic acid, sodium salt, cross‐linked, FCM substance No 1015, which is intended to be used as a liquid absorber in the packaging of fresh or frozen foods such as meat, poultry and seafood as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Specific migration tests were not performed due to the high absorption of liquids by the substance. The Panel noted that if polya...

Published on: Wed, 07 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0100
The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP Panel) assessed the safety of the additive Ln 1,4‐benzene dicarboxylic acid (with Ln = La, Eu, Gd, Tb) for use in food contact materials. It is a family of mixtures combining the four lanthanides lanthanum (La), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd) and/or terbium (Tb) in different proportions as their 1,4‐benzene dicarboxylate complexes, used as a taggant in plastics for authentication and ...

Published on: Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0100
The food enzyme endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) is produced with the genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain LMG S‐24584 by Puratos N. V. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The Panel noted that, although the production strain was not detected in the food enzyme, recombinant DNA was present in all batches of the food enzyme tested. The food enzyme is intended to be used in baking processes. Based on the maximum use levels re...

Published on: Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0100
The food enzyme glucan 1,4‐α‐glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.3) is produced with the genetically modified Aspergillus niger strain NZYM‐BW by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. The glucan 1,4‐α‐glucosidase food enzyme is intended to be used in distilled alcohol production and starch processing for the production of glucose syrups. Residu...

Published on: Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0100
The food enzyme glucoamylase (glucan 1,4‐α‐glucosidase; EC 3.2.1.3) is produced with the genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This glucoamylase is intended to be used in brewing processes and in starch processing for glucose syrups production. Residual amounts of total organic s...

Published on: Wed, 31 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0100
The food enzyme alpha‐amylase (4‐α‐d‐glucan glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.1) is produced with the genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. This α‐amylase is intended to be used in starch processing for glucose syrups production, beverage alcohol (distilling) processes and baking proces...

Published on: Mon, 29 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0100
This report presents the results from an exploratory study in 2016 on clear communication of scientific assessment results. It had a specific focus on the communication of scientific uncertainties in EFSA scientific opinions. Qualitative methods were applied to the design and communication of an opinion summary and uncertainty statements related to that opinion, and to collect evidence on how different stakeholder groups responded to them. The study tested t...

This voluntary recall has been initiated by UBC Food Distributors Inc, due to a high level of lead found in the product after testing was done by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, which found high traces of lead.

Health Canada's sampling and evaluation program has determined that the school bus toy does not meet Canadian safety requirements for toys. Specifically, the school bus released small parts during testing, which are a choking hazard for young children.

Published on: Wed, 17 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings of the European Food Safety Authority was requested to consider in this revision 2 of Flavouring Group Evaluation 201, the additional data on genotoxicity submitted by the Industry on two substances, 2‐methylpent‐2‐enal [FL‐no: 05.090] and 2 methylcrotonaldehyde [FL‐no: 05.095], from subgroup 1.1.2 of FGE.19. In FGE.201Rev1, the Panel concluded that further data were required in order to clarify the genotoxic poten...

Published on: Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The duration of the vaccination campaign sufﬁcient to eliminate lumpy skin disease (LSD) mainly depends on the vaccination effectiveness and coverage achieved. By using a spread epidemiological model, assuming a vaccination effectiveness of 65%, with 50% and 90% coverage, 3 and 4 years campaigns, respectively, are needed to eliminate LSD. When vaccination effectiveness is 80% to 95%, 2 years of vaccination at coverage of 90% is sufﬁcient to eliminate LSD vir...

Silver Star Brands, Inc., is initiating a voluntary recall of six products for humans (including four Native Remedies® and two Healthful Naturals™) and two PetAlive® products for pets for a total of eight products with lot numbers, see table below, to the consumer level. The products have been tested and found to contain microbial contamination.

Published on: Mon, 27 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The currently applied approaches, procedures and tools used for the identification of emerging risks vary greatly among Member States of the EU. EFSA established a structured approach for emerging risk identification that mainly consists of systematically searching, collecting, collating and analysing information and data. In addition, EFSA concluded that new methodologies and tools are needed to facilitate efficient and transparent sharing of data, knowledg...

HelloLife, Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI is initiating a voluntary recall of four different products, Neuroveen, Respitrol, Thyroveev and Compulsin, within expiry, to the retail and consumer level due to possible microbial contamination. Neuroveen has been tested and found to be contaminated with Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Burkholderia cepacia. Compulsin has been identified as containing Burkholderia cepacia.
Respitrol and Thyroveev are still pending bacterial identification. Each product being recalled...

Published on: Mon, 27 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200
The EFSA Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues reviewed the guidance on how aged sorption studies for pesticides should be conducted, analysed and used in regulatory assessment. The inclusion of aged sorption is a higher tier in the groundwater leaching assessment. The Panel based its review on a test with three substances taken from a data set provided by the European Crop Protection Association. Particular points of attention were the quali...

Published on: Thu, 23 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200
Following a request from EFSA, the Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) developed an opinion on the state of the art of Toxicokinetic/Toxicodynamic (TKTD) models and their use in prospective environmental risk assessment (ERA) for pesticides and aquatic organisms. TKTD models are species‐ and compound‐specific and can be used to predict (sub)lethal effects of pesticides under untested (time‐variable) exposure conditions. Three differen...

Published on: Fri, 10 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200
This scientific opinion of the EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF Panel) deals with the safety evaluation of the recycling process General Plastic (EU register No RECYC153), which is based on the Starlinger Decon technology. The decontamination efficiency of the process was demonstrated by a challenge test. The input of this process is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes orig...

Franklin Lakes, NJ, Living Well Remedies, LLC is voluntarily recalling Weight Away Remedy lot# 111417LWL614 to the consumer level. The independent manufacturing facility that produced this lot reported it to be out of specification for microbial testing.

King Bio is voluntarily recalling the below products to the consumer level.
A small percentage of our products produced between 08/01/2017 and 04/2018 have tested positive for microbial contamination. Out of an abundance of caution, we are recalling the products and lot numbers below

Health Canada testing of “Jian Pai Natural Skin Care Cream,” also called ‘’Yikangshuang,” found that it contains two antifungal drugs (fluconazole and miconazole) that are not listed on the product label, and may pose serious health risks.

Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) of New Ulm, Minn., is recalling dry whey powder packaged in 50-pound and 25-kg bags that were produced at the cooperative’s Blair, Wis., dry whey plant from May 1-5, 2018; May 24-29, 2018; June 2-5, 2018; and June 7-14, 2018 due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. This is a precautionary recall. All products shipped to the marketplace tested negative for Salmonella.

Radagast Pet Food, Inc. of Portland, OR is recalling three lots of Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Chicken Recipe because testing results indicate they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The Company is also recalling one lot of Rad Cat Raw Diet Pasture-Raised Venison Recipe because testing results indicate it has the potential to be contaminated with Shiga Toxin producing E. coli O121. This recall is being conducted out of an abundance of caution. Due to Radagast Pet Food’s ...

Blissful Remedies., is voluntarily
recalling only Lot No.: 112710 with expiration 03/2019 found embedded on the top of package of
kratom ( mitragyn a speciosa) powder products, it manufactured, processed, packed, and/or held,
between “March 1, 2018” to “April 30, 2018” to the consumer level. The products have been found by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) via sample testing to have salmonella contamination.
Blissful Remedies has not received reports of adverse events related to this recall. ...

The products have been found by the FDA via sample testing and finding to have salmonella contamination. In lieu of such FDA findings the company has implemented standard operating procedures and sterilization processes in accordance to FDA guidelines

OTTAWA – With the growing availability of fentanyl test strips on store shelves and online, Health Canada would like to remind Canadians of the potential limitations when using fentanyl test strips to detect fentanyl or other deadly substances in street drugs before consuming them.

Gaia Ethnobotanical, LLC., is voluntarily recalling all kratom (mitragyna speciosa) powder products, with Lot No.: 0102031800 it manufactured, processed, packed, and/or held, between March 18, 2018 to March 30, 2018 to the consumer level. The products have been found by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) via sample testing and finding to have salmonella contamination. In lieu of such FDA findings the company has implemented standard operating procedures and sterilization processes in accordanc...

Testing by the CSA Group has shown that glasses distributed between October 2017 and April 2018 do not comply with the side impact requirements of the safety standard for eye and face protectors. The affected safety glasses may not provide adequate protection against side impact, posing a risk of eye injury.

November is #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #DYK using a glucose meter to check and monitor blood sugar is a daily part of life for millions of Americans with diabetes? Check out the @US_FDA's tips on how to safely use glucose meters and test strips for diabetes: https://go.usa.gov/xPdK4

#DYK the @US_FDA recently authorized the first direct-to-consumer test for detecting genetic variants that may be associated with medication metabolism? Learn more about the authorization: https://go.usa.gov/xPVUt #MedicalDevice #FDA

We know that cancer is harder to find in women with dense breasts – some women may need other imaging tests. Breast density reporting is already required in some states. Expanding this nationwide will empower patients and providers to make more informed health decisions.

#FDA issues final guidance with recommendations for labeling and safety testing of #heparin containing medical devices and device-led combination products to help reduce the risk of patient injury. To read the guidance, click here: https://go.usa.gov/xP2VB #MedicalDevice pic.twitter.com/hsdX5ylKPu

This meeting will allow a direct exchange of views between the Agency’s working party and stakeholders on its draft reflection paper on dose optimisation of established veterinary antibiotics in the context of summary of product characteristics (SPC) harmonisation (EMA/CVMP/849775/2017). It complements the public consultation on this reflection paper ending on 31 January 2019. The reflection paper follows considerations in the report on a pilot project that aimed to develop and test non-experimental appr...

This document addresses specifications, i.e. those tests, procedures, and acceptance criteria used to assure the quality of the herbal substances/preparations and herbal medicinal products at release and during the shelf-life.

The guideline is an annex to the VICH parent stability guideline, stability testing of new veterinary drug substances and medicinal products (VICH GL3 (R)), and provides guidance regarding the stability data package for a new veterinary drug substance and medicinal product to be included in a registration application submitted within the regions in the climatic zones III and IV.

Established veterinary antibiotics are not always used at the authorised dose, and the dose may need to be reviewed in order to maintain their effectiveness whilst limiting the risks of antimicrobial resistance. Before a new dose is introduced, the company would typically have to conduct new studies to ensure it does not negatively affect the safety of the target animal, the consumer of animal produce, or the environment. This may reduce product availability, which could have a negative impact on antimic...